The Next Morning
Slumped in a chair, Doc Adams let out a small sigh before gulping down his third cup of coffee. He set the empty cup down on his desk and rubbed his tired eyes. He'd slept little since learning of Kitty's death, and wanted nothing more than to stay buried under his blankets, and hope that the oblivion of a dreamless sleep would overtake him. Unfortunately, such self-indulgence was out of the question. Patients needed care, Sam needed help closing down the Long Branch, Festus and others needed moral support, and Matt – Matt needed his friendship more than he ever had before. He stared into his empty cup, and was contemplating the wisdom of fourth dose of coffee, when he heard familiar footsteps on the stairs. He tiredly pushed himself to his feet and opened the door. "Hello Matt, you look like you slept about as much as I did. Come have some coffee." He grabbed a mug from the shelf and filled it to the brim. "Here you go. Have a seat. Matt, I know the news about Kitty was a terrible shock, just terrible, but we can't change what happened. As hard as it is, the best thing you can do for yourself and for all of us, is to help plan the memorial that Kitty deserves. We have to focus on the special times we shared with her, the good memories." Doc saw Matt shake his head, and gently took the big man's arm. "Listen Matt, you knew Kitty better than anyone. We need your thoughts and, most importantly, your presence. I know it will take a whole lot out of you, but you should say a few words at the service. We're having it at Crystal Lake, Kitty aways loved that spot. It's planned for Saturday morning at about..."
Matt put up his hand. "I won't be here on Saturday. In fact I'm leaving now, heading to Meade. Festus will keep an eye on things and I deputized Sam too. He was kind of looking for something to do, and needed to make a little money."
"Hold on there Matt, I know you want to visit Kitty's grave, but let's honor her memory first. Let's mourn with the town and each other. It will be good for you, good for us all. After that, you and I can travel together to visit her grave. Matt, I don't think you should be alone at a time like this – please."
Matt shook his head. "I'm not going to Meade to visit her grave, I'm going to look for her. Doc, I can't believe Kitty is dead, in fact deep in my heart I know she isn't."
"You have to face reality, Matt. You saw the letter from Kitty's friend Peggy." Doc could see that Matt was unmoved. His voice grew stern. "Matt Dillon, are telling me that you believe that Peggy and her husband, Owen Kramer, made the whole thing up out of whole cloth? Are you saying that these decent farming people, who are raising a family of their own, got up one morning and decided to lie about the death of a friend? Is that what you're saying?"
"I'm saying that I don't believe Kitty is dead, and I'm going to Meade to talk to Peggy Kramer." Matt downed his coffee in one swallow, and set the cup down. "Thanks for the coffee. I'll be in touch." He patted the outside of his coat pocket. "I came home with a gift for Kitty, and I intend to give it to her."
Matt opened the door and left without looking back. Doc whispered into the air. "Sadly, Matt, you'll be leaving that gift at her grave."
Meade
8 year old Petey Kramer sat outside his weather beaten home, with an open bible on his lap. He squeezed his eyes shut beneath thick, oversized glasses, and wished a wish so hard, his body shook. After a minute he slowly opened those eyes, and looked down at the bible. A lump of sadness welled in his throat. The words were still fuzzy and jumping around. He was a useless nothing. His twin brothers, Michael and Gabriel, were only 10, but they were big and strong and had been a help to ma and pa for years. He was different, small and puny, but ma and pa were proud of him anyway because of his knack for reading. From his first day at school, he picked it up easy, reading words even ma stumbled over. Every night since he was 7 he read the bible to his family. They'd gather around, leaning forward, taking in every word. Ma said he would grow up to be something special for sure. Then one day, the words looked blurry. Soon, they were fuzzy and moving around. It got worse, until the only thing he could see for sure was the fear in ma and pa's eyes. Times were hard, and eating was skimpy, but pa borrowed money to buy him a pair of glasses from a catalogue. Everything got clear again, but before long, the blurriness came back. Tears streamed down Petey Kramer's pale face. What if he went blind? He'd be nothing but a burden, a useless burden. His heart pounded in his thin chest. He took a deep breath. No, No, No - ma and pa said that wouldn't happen. They said everything would be all right because of Aunt Kitty – beautiful, kind Aunt Kitty. It was awful sad that she died, but now Aunt Kitty was an angel, watching over them. That's what ma said. She said Aunt Kitty left them so much money in her will, that pa could take him to a place called Boston, where a fancy doctor would fix his eyes with an operation. Petey brushed his tears away. Everything would be all right.
Dodge City
It was barely noon, but Doc's footsteps were slow and heavy as he made his way down Front Street. He spotted Sam Noonan outside the marshal's office, looking like he could use some company.
"Hello Sam." Doc's eyes rested on deputy's badge pinned to the bartender's shirt. "I admit, I'm kinda surprised you let Matt pin that star on you before he set out on his doomed journey."
"Well Doc, the job pays a bit, and I've got no income at the moment. Besides, I have to find a new profession. After working in the Long Branch, I don't see myself bartending in another saloon, or even walking into one."
"But a lawman?" Doc raised a skeptical eyebrow "Doc, I know deputying isn't the best fit for me. I won't be doing it long. For now, making rounds with Festus and keeping the Marshal's office organized, gives me something to do besides clearing out the Long Branch." Sam shook his head. "It's not an easy thing – it kinda crushes at my heart, and I sure wish the marshal had stayed around to help. He's the one who should go through Miss Kitty's personal things. I'm gonna hold off going into her rooms 'til he gets back. There's plenty for me to do in the meantime. Fact is, I'd better be getting back to it.."
The two men plodded down Front Street together. "Sam, just remember, I'm ready to help in any way I can."
"Thanks Doc. It would sure be easier if Miss Kitty had left a will or some instructions. I guess she didn't think to because she was still young, or maybe she just thought she didn't have much to leave to anyone. She was still building up the Long Branch to be the kind of place she wanted. Most everything that came in, went right back into the business. I took a look at the numbers. Once I sell off everything, I can pay the business debts and give everyone some extra weeks pay. That will be that, there will be nothing left." Sam shook his head. "Hard to believe."
"Sam, the riches are our memories of Kitty. That's the most important legacy. Now, I want to say one more thing. When you're giving out those extra weeks pay to the Long Branch workers, be sure to include yourself. Kitty would want that too.
TBC
